HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2023-06-21Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, June 21, 2023
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY
BOARD of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held
in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 21st day of June,
2023.
Board: Chair Belle Morris; Vice-Chair Kristen Ekeren; Members Javier Bernal,
Jessica Ferko, Ann Finley, Larry Gamble, Linda Hanick, Mark Igel, and
Gordon Slack; Trustee Patrick Martchink; Staff Liaison Greg Muhonen
Attending: Chair Morris; Vice-Chair Ekeren; Members Gamble, Hanick, and Slack;
Trustee Martchink; Director Muhonen; Manager Solesbee; Recording
Secretary McDonald
Absent: Member Bernal, Member Ferko, Member Finley, Member Igel
Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE
Trustee Martchink did not have official updates, but reported that he had been questioned
by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office about the operational specifications of the stoplight
placed on US 36 for the Community Drive Roundabout construction project.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED MAY 17, 2023
It was moved and seconded (Slack/Hanick) to approve the May 17, 2023, minutes
with a minor amendment, and the motion passed unanimously.
MOBILITY SERVICES UPDATE
Manager Solesbee reported that the May 26 opening weekend of the 2023 paid parking
season was the smoothest on record. Weekly parking data will be regularly posted on the
website; early numbers indicate trending slightly lower than previous years in free and
paid lots, and slightly higher in the parking structure. Lots are full on the weekend, with
most at 85% on weekdays; the average parking time is two hours. Feedback from locals
on the paid parking utility mailer has been extensive and positive. While the team
prepares for July 4 business, the parking structure banner is being produced and the
Farmer’s Market reorganization is working very well.
The Peak’s 2023 Transit Schedule for the daily Red Route began on May 26; the Gold,
Silver, Brown, and Blue Routes will run daily July 1-September 4, then weekends only
through October 1. The brand name change from Estes Transit to The Peak will be
announced soon in the annual transit schedule news release. Bustang’s weekend service
Transportation Advisory Board – June 21, 2023 – Page 2
started strong on May 27. Thanks to funding from the Colorado Association of Transit
Agencies (CASTA) and Department of Energy (DOE) through the Zero Fare for Better Air
initiative, trolley service hours increased (now 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and CASTA’s free
marketing support will feature news releases and radio spots in English and Spanish.
Both electric trolleys (EV 1 & 2) are running 13 hours on new batteries (compared to 4-5
hours with the previous batteries), and the trolleys and rented shuttles will soon receive
their animal-themed wraps. Redesigned stop signs and transit brochures will be featured
in English and Spanish.
The selection committee for the Multimodal Transportation Plan (MTP) and Transit
Development Plan (TDP) interviewed three firms before selecting the Kimley-Horn and
Nelson\Nygaard team, whose well-prepared proposal was focused on funding sources
and research into similar communities like Sedona and Moab. Staff will seek contract
approval from the Town Board in July, after which work would begin on the TDP.
The trolley barn project is awaiting the CDOT grant agreement before the bid process can
begin, and progress is being made on the request for proposal for the Big Horn Parking
Structure design.
ENGINEERING UPDATE
Director Muhonen advised that annual striping is underway, and concrete work is
upcoming for new and existing trail sections.
Fall River Trail Extension (FRT) work has included flatwork and backfilling; planning of
improvements for access to Ponderosa Lodge; wood fencing on the back side of the trail;
and installation of bridge, guard, and pedestrian rails.
The final designs for Cleave Street Improvements (CSI) are now posted on the website
project page. Although two easements were denied, the resulting design adaptation
should not prolong the project.
Wayfinding installation is underway for the Downtown Wayfinding Program (DWP). Some
signage requires corrections to design or placement.
For the Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) project, curb, gutter, and sidewalk has been poured
along the west side of West Riverside Drive, and earthwork continues for the new
retaining wall north of Fun City. Traffic patterns are being planned; Riverside Drive will
soon reopen for one-way, eastbound flow. The Ivy Bridge, Crags Drive, and Moraine
Avenue should open by the end of June. Flatiron Constructors, Inc. (FCI) proposed
reconstructing the Post Office parking lot and wall this summer; given the necessity of
this project, the TAB discussed at length before recommending that it begin in August or
be delayed until May or summer 2024, depending on rainfall factors.
Per Mountain Constructors, Inc. (MCI), flooding issues at the project site for the US
36/Community Drive Roundabout (CDRBT) have delayed the scheduled reopening of this
intersection. To accommodate the July 5-10 Rooftop Rodeo, MCI will prep US 36 for two-
Transportation Advisory Board – June 21, 2023 – Page 3
way traffic; additionally, the temporary traffic signal will allow longer green time in the
eastbound lane.
Director Muhonen briefed the TAB on the June 13 Town Board Study Session for 1%
Sales Tax Renewal Components and Stormwater Considerations. The Town Board
affirmed the staff’s proposal to direct 46% to street maintenance; 28% to stormwater
planning; 17% to trails maintenance; and 9% to wildfire mitigation.
Discussion points for all projects included the need for trail maintenance in the Scott
Ponds area, for which Recording Secretary McDonald will place a work order; ideas for
managing the recurring speed problems with e-bikes of all classifications on Town-owned
and other area trails; and pedestrian safety concerns in relation to crosswalk
specifications and designated locations. It was agreed that TAB members would
undertake fact-finding about e-bike management needs in the community, and that
Manager Solesbee would send a “connecting email” to Code Enforcement for monitoring
of particularly vulnerable areas like Fisherman’s Nook.
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
None.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 1:44 p.m.
/s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary